Cobb County officials have named police headquarters in honor of Robert E. Hightower, who spent his career serving his country, the state of Georgia and Cobb County.

Hightower completed a 26-year tenure with Cobb, serving as Chief of Police as well as the first Director of Public Safety, overseeing police, fire, 911 and corrections.

Hightower led the police department through critical periods of growth, creating many specialized units within the department that are still in service today. He also created the Department of Public Safety Training Academy, offering initial and advanced training.

After his retirement from Cobb, Hightower continued to serve residents as director of the Georgia State Patrol and as Georgia's first Director of Homeland Security.

Hightower begn his career in the United States Navy Underwater Demolition Team as a Navy Seal. He also served as a captain with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.